How to Stay Healthy When You Travel This Summer

Summer is vacation season, and chances are you already have a trip planned—but are you prepared? Traveling overseas or even just in the United States can come with various health risks that you need to plan for, so it’s important to make sure you’re prepared before you travel. Follow these tips to have a worry-free trip no matter where you go.

Learn about where you’re going.

Learning about where you’re going is especially important if you’re traveling internationally. Not every country has the same health policies, and some countries may be experiencing illnesses that aren’t active in the United States. Researching the country’s health care and health advisories ahead of time can help prepare you to have a safe trip. The best place to find the active health advisories for your destination is via the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or World Health Organization (WHO).

See a doctor before you travel.

Now that you’re armed with research on your destination, it’s important to see your doctor before you travel so that you’re prepared for the trip. This includes staying up-to-date on your vaccinations and prescriptions, and stocking up on any travel medicine you may need for nausea, motion sickness, etc. You can also talk to your doctor about the health advisories at your destination and get their advice on how to prepare.

Prepare for your health needs.

You know all about your destination and you’ve talked to your doctor. Now it’s time to pick up your medications and make sure that you have everything you need to protect your health while away. If you have food allergies, make sure to pack snacks you can eat in case you aren’t able to get anything there right away. If you have kids, pack for their health needs, too—as well as any cuts and scrapes and last-minute viruses they may pick up along the way.

Keep up a healthy routine.

When you’re traveling—even if you aren’t on vacation—it can be hard to keep up a healthy routine. While one cheat day isn’t going to ruin your health, it’s still important to keep up a healthy routine while you’re away. If you’re on the road, try these health tips to keep up—or build—a healthy routine. If you’re on vacation, why not find healthy activities to build into your agenda for the trip?

If you do become sick or need medical attention, be sure to check with your hotel or tour group on where to find the closest medical clinic or hospital. Most groups that host tourists and vacationers are familiar with emergency medical issues and can guide you to proper medical care when away from home. After seeing a doctor while away from home, be sure to consult with your primary care provider once you have returned home to ensure you’re on the road to better health.